Teadit style 2236 certified low-leak packing technology
Have you heard about “Low E valves and packing”, or perhaps “certified low-leak packing”? A fact that is not widely known is that valves may account for as much as 60 per cent of all fugitive emissions, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To reduce the fugitive emissions coming from valves, the EPA has developed consent decrees which not only define performance parameters, but also require a written guarantee to be provided by valve and packing manufacturers. These decrees specify the performance parameters for low-leak packing. Similar decrees or regulations are being either developed or implemented in other countries and jurisdictions to reduce the incidence of fugitive emissions from valves.
According to the EPA consent decrees “Certified Low-Leaking Valve Packing Technology” means valve packing technology for which a manufacturer has issued either: (i) a written guarantee that the valve packing technology will not leak above 100 ppm for five years; or (ii) a written guarantee, certification or equivalent documentation that the valve packing technology has been tested pursuant to generally-accepted good engineering practices and has been found to be leaking at no greater than 100 ppm.
Similarly, “Certified Low-Leaking Valves” shall mean valves for which a manufacturer has issued either: (i) a written guarantee that the valve will not leak above 100 parts per million (ppm) for five years; or (ii) a written guarantee, certification or equivalent documentation that the valve has been tested pursuant to generally-accepted good engineering practices and has been found to be leaking at no greater than 100 ppm.
New “Low E Technology” includes the above requirements with the added provision that the manufacturer can provide test documentation based on accepted engineering practices which documents life cycle and emissions performance. Appropriate test protocols are ISO 15848-1 (Industrial valves: Measurement, test and qualification procedures for fugitive emissions) and API standards, such as API 622.
Canada Rubber Group Inc. supplies Teadit style 2236 compression packing, which is a certified low-leak packing. Teadit 2236 valve packing is self-lubricating, non-hardening, dimensionally stable and resistant to gases and fluids as well as heat, pressure and chemicals. The high temperature flexible graphite and Inconel® filament jacket of the packing affords mechanical stability while the advanced construction provides leakage control and high integrity in steam service. Teadit style 2236 satisfies both the requirements of EPA Enhanced LDAR (Leak detection and Repair) directives and the European Union’s IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) directive.
The development of Teadit style 2236 stemmed from industry’s need to meet low emission requirements with a single spool stock product. A joint study between Teadit and two major Refinery Groups gave birth to this new packing technology. Extensive In-house testing was conducted to optimize the braiding construction and impregnation that form the major advantages of style 2236. Laboratory tests performed by internationally recognized Yarmouth Research and Technology, LLC installed 5 cut rings from the spool and confirmed the average leakage of 4 PPMv after the completion of 5000 mechanical and 10 thermal (room to 260° C/500° F) cycles. Given the resolution of standard testing equipment, this would be considered as “leak-free” technology.
Due to its physical properties and ability to minimize friction, Teadit style 2236 packing is ideal for valves and can be used within a broad range of applications. Teadit style 2236 has also been recognized by AMTEC laboratory in Germany as a high-sealing system for the purposes of TA-Luft, satisfying the tightness criteria of VDI 2440. Teadit style 2236 will maintain low stem torque values even when high installation stresses are applied. This aspect is important in allowing a valve to actuate effectively and makes it ideal for a broad range of applications.
To find out more about Teadit style 2236 certified low-leak packing, please contact our sales department today at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.